Report: Armel Bella-Kotchap unlikely to join Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Armel Bella-Kotchap from Southampton, but a report in Germany claims that the transfer is very unlikely to happen.

Armel Bella-Kotchap is said to be Borussia Dortmund’s top target as they look to bolster their defence before the transfer window closes. It has been widely reported that the Black and Yellows want to sign the talented 21 year old defender on loan with a purchase option. But Sky Sport are now claiming that the transfer is unlikely to come to fruition this summer.

The report adds that Borussia Dortmund’s financial constraints mean that they will not be able to spend the 20 million euros being demanded by Southampton, who would prefer to let him leave on a permanent transfer. And with the European Championship coming up next summer, Bella-Kotchap would like to join a club where he would be guaranteed regular playing time.

That is unlikely to be the case at Borussia Dortmund, with Niklas Süle, Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels also competing for spots in the starting XI.

Armel Bella-Kotchap came through the youth team ranks at VfL Bochum, and a return to the Ruhr region may sway him in favour of a possible transfer to Borussia Dortmund. But regular playing time is unlikely to be something BVB will be able to guarantee this season. So it will be interesting to see how this story progresses in the coming days and weeks.

Borussia Dortmund have also been linked with a move for highly rated Serbian defender Stefan Lekovic in recent weeks.